Railroad track maintenance machines



July 23, i963 G. u. FEE 3,098,453

Mmmm Hummm mm Filed lay 13. 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 23, 1963 G. M. FEE

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Filed May 15, 195B ful/(111,111,111, l 1

July 23, 1963 G. M. FEE

RAILROAD TRACK MAINTENANCE MACHINES 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 13, 1958 lge. .f7.z14

,52 INVENTOR /5/ Gro/7am M /C'ee BY// AORN Ys l United States Patent O 3,098,453 RAILROAD TRACK MAENTENANCE MACHINES Graham M. Fee, Erie, Pa., assigner to True Temper Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed May 13, 1958, Ser. No. '734,953 9 Claims. (Cl. 10d- 2) My invention relates to track type machines for railroad maintenance work `and relates more specifically to a machine adapted to ride upon a railroad track and to carry power operated tools adapted for driving rail anchors, removing ballast, and the like operations.

The machine of my invention is generally of the type which is disclosed and claimed in my co-pending application for United States Letters Patent, Serial Number 721,372, tiled March 14, 1958, now abandoned, said application disclosing a machine adapted to be manually propelled along a pair of rails, having power means carried thereby for operating a tool, and having locating and positioning means associated therewith.

In the present invention, a tool is `adapted to be pivotally mounted upon the machine for arcuate movement about a xed pivot point on said machine for bringing the same rapidly and forcefully into engagement with a work surface. In the description and accompanying drawings of this application, I have illustrated my track maintenance machine primarily as having a pivoted sledge mounted thereon, but obviously other tools can be used equally well as exemplified by the alternative tool shown in FIG. 12.

It is, therefore, an object of my invention to provide a machine of the type referred to which is adapted for mounting different type tools for performing various track maintenance operation-s.

Another object of my invention is to provide a machine of the above type which is adaptable for driving rail anchors upon one rail of a railroad track.

Another object of my invention is to provide a machine of the above type having means associated therewith for positioning said machine relative to a rail anchor for driving the same upon a rail.

Still another object of my invention is to provide such a machine which is adaptable for clearing ballast from beneath the rail prior to driving an anchor thereupon.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide such a machine which is readily adjustable to dilferent size rails for various maintenance operations.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a machine of the type referred to whereby a constantiy operating power source is optionally engageable or disengage-able with a pivoted tool to bring the same into or out of forceful contact with the work.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a machine having the above characteristics which is adapted to ride upon rails and to approach and be properly positioned adjacent a rail anchor from either direction to properly align the same with a driving tool of said machine.

Yet another object of my invention it to provide such a machine wherein the positioning thereof and the actuation of the tool are operable by a singie control means.

Another object of my invention is to provide a machine of the above type which is small, compact, and easily transported to and from .a railroad track.

A still further object of my invention is to provide such a machine which is adapted to be readily shifted or pivoted for use with either rail of a railroad track.

Other objects of my invention and the invention itself will be readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

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In the drawings:

FlG. l is a side plan View of the track maintenance machine;

FIG. 2 is a sectional detail of the pivotal tool mounting means of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the rail anchor driving machine of FiG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. l showing the rail anchor driving machine in an inoperative position with part of the frame broken away for clarity;

FIG. 5 is a section taken along the line S--S of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 1 showing the positioning apparatus of the machine in one operative position;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing the positioning apparatus in another operative position;

FIG. 8 is a section taken along the line 8 8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a section taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 10 is a section taken along the line 10-10 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 11 is a side plan View of the lower frame of the machine showing the land-type wheels in a lowermost operative position;

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic top view of the machine demonstrating the functional purpose of the land-type wheels;

FIG. 13 is a section taken along the line 13-13 of FIG. 1l;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary side view of the machine showing a modified striking tool mounted thereon; and

FIG. l5 is a sectional detail of said modied tool taken along the line 15e-15 of FIG. 14.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the track maintenance machine of my invention as herein disclosed and illustrated comprises a frame 10 adapted for travel upon rails R by means of a pair of double-flanged wheels 11 mounted adjacent one end of said frame and a nonllanged roller 12 mounted adjacent the opposite end of said frame. A heavy hammer or Sledge 13 is pivotally mounted. to the frame 10 and is adapted to swing downwardly in an arcuate path to drive a prepositioned rail anchor A into interlocking engagement with the flanges of the rail R.

The frame 10 is longitudinally positioned transversely of the rails R and as herein illustrated and described, is preferably of tubular construction. Said frame comprises a pair of interspaced, parallel base members 20 extending generally the Width of the railroad track and terminating at the roller end of said frame in a pair of converging supports 21. The `base members 20 are prefably Welded or otherwise suitably integrally united to the converging supports 21, the opposite ends of said supports being welded adjacent the ends of an L-shaped bar 22. A crossbar 23 is provided intermediate the ends of the frame 10, and ya box-like superstructure, generally indicated at 10', is provided opposite the roller end of said frame.

The superstructure 10 comprises a pair of vertical supports 24 projecting upwardly from the base members 20 a short distance from the crossbar 23 and a similar pair of vertical supports 25 spaced away from the ends of said base members adjacent the llanged wheels 11. The uppermost ends of the vertical supports 24 and 25 Vare connected by means of longitudinally directed supports 26. The vertical supports 2.4 are connected by means of a cross-member 27, and intermediate the ends of the supports 26 is a transverse member 28. The wheels 11 are mounted intermediate the lowermost ends of the vertical supports 25 and the ends of Vthe base members 20, said base members having upwardly directed channel members 29 welded thereto and connected to the supports by horizontal channel members 30 above said wheels. Additional support is preferably provided for the superstructure 10 by means of angled braces 31 connecting the intermediate vertical supports 24 and the base members 20.

Mounting means for the p-ivoted sledge 13 is provided within the superstructure 10" by means of two interspaced, depending, channel shaped, bearing supports 32 Secured at their upper ends to the transverse member 28, and xed at their lower ends by angled braces 33 to the crossbar 23. The roller 12 is mounted between the bar 22 and `a plate 34 which bridges the converging supports 21 intermediate the ends thereof. A pair of channel beams 35 secured to the crossbar 23 and to the plate 34 are positioned laterally of and parallel to the longitudinal center line of the machine upon which the motor M is mounted.

The lowermost ends of the vertical supports 25 are provided with shaft support blocks 36 secured thereto, said blocks having off-set brackets 37 preferably welded to the inwardly directed surfaces thereof. Said brackets extend outwardly away from the frame 10 a short distance parallel with the base members 20 and provide means for mounting a positioner pivot 38 thereon. The positioner pivot comprises a cylindrical tube or bar the ends of which are welded to the inner surfaces of said brackets and is adapted for mounting a positioncr device to be herein later more fully described.

It will be understood that the frame 10, as disclosed above, is adapted to be positioned with the longitudinal dimensions thereof directed transversely of the rails R, and by means of the wheels 11 and the roller 12, said frame travels in either direction along said rails at right `angles to its length.

The roller 12 is rotatably mounted upon a roller shaft 14 journalled in bearings 14a and 14b of the L-shaped bar 22 and the plate 34 respectively. As best shown in FIG. l0, the flanged wheels 11 are mounted upon shafts 15 secured within the support blocks 36 at one end thereof and threaded into tapped blocks 16 welded into the vertical channel members 29 `at the opposite ends thereof. Said shaft is secured in place in any suitable manner such as by nuts 17. The wheels 11 are preferably provided With `bearings 11a for easy rolling engagement with the rail R.

The bearing supports 32 are provided with coaxially mounted pillow blocks 40 and 41 bolted to said supports by bolts 40a and 41a respectively, into which a shaft 42 is journaled. rigidly secured to said shaft are a tool adjustment block 43 and a pulley 44, said adjustment block being positioned adjacent the pillow block 41. The adjustment block 43 and the pulley 44 are secured to the shaft 42 in any suitable manner, such as by a key 42a to rotate unitarily with said shaft. The shaft 42 extends beyond the pillow block 40 a substantial distance and has mounted thereupon a lever 45 fixed to said shaft by means of a set screw 45a. A tensioned spring 46 is secured at one end thereof to a laterally projecting lug 45E) of the lever 45 and at the other end thereof to a similarly projecting lug 33a of the adjacent bearing support brace 33 thereby biasing the shaft 42, the adjustment block 43, and the pulley 44 in a counterclockwise direction, as seen in FIG. 1.

The adjustment block 43 is transversely apertured at 43a for mounting to the shaft 42 (FIG. 2) and is also provided with an aperture 49 disposed at right angles to the aperture 43a and spaced laterally therefrom. Said adjustment block is divided into two portions in a plane corresponding to the center line of the aperture 49 thereby providing a cap 47 adapted to be bolted to the remainder of the adjustment block by means of bolts 48.

The handle of the Sledge 13 comprises a cylindrical shaft adapted to be telescopically and adjustably mounted Interposed between said pillow blocks and CII through the aperture 49 to be securely held therein by tightening the bolts 48. As shown in FIG. l, a striking portion 51 of the Sledge 13 is secured to the lowermost end of the `handle 50. A reduced portion 50a of said handle projects through an aperture 51a in the striking portion 5l., and is secured therein by means of a bolt 52 thread fitted into the lowermost end of said handle. As shown in FIG. 4, the spring 46 normally holds the sledge 13 in a withdrawn and raised position, p-oised for arcuate movement downward and in the direction of one of the rails.

Referring now to FIG. 3, it will be noted that whereas the Sledge 13 is mounted adjacent the flanged wheels 11, the motor M is mounted adjacent the roller 12. The motor M is adjustably mounted upon the beams 35 by means of bolts projecting through the base 61 of said motor and longitudinal slots 35a in said beams. Said motor is provided with a pulley 62 parallel with the pulley 44, and a loosely fitting pulley belt 63 connects the two as best shown in FIG. 4.

A belt tightening device is provided whereby the slack in the belt 63 can be taken up as desired to cause the motor pulley 62 to grip the belt 63 thereby rotating the Sledge pulley 44. Said tightening device comprises a laterally extending, operative handle 71 having a pair of parallel downwardly angled arms secured thereto, a relatively short arm 72 and a much longer arm 73. Said arms `are pivotally mounted to a pair of depending support members 74 by means of pins 74a projecting therethrough. A cross-member 75 is preferably provided intermediate the handle 71 and the pivot supports 74 to brace and strengthen the structure.

The shorter arm 72 extends at an oblique angle downwardly and toward the roller end of the machine and terminates just below the pivot pin 74a. The relatively longer arm 73 extends beyond the pivot, the lowermost end thereof being provided with a relatively wide pulley 76 positioned under the lower half of the belt 63. The cross-member 27 of the superstructure 10' has mounted upwardly therefrom a lifting hook 77 adapted for lifting the machine on and off the rails if so desired. Said hook is provided with a laterally projecting pin 77a and the longer arm 73 is provided with a similar pin 73a whereby a tensioned spring 7S attached to said pins resiliently holds the handle 71 in an initial uppermost inoperative positio, as shown in FIG. 4. In this position the pulley 76 is pivoted away from the pulley belt 63, said belt remaining slack.

ln normal operation, the motor M is operating and the pulley 62 is continuously rotating in a clockwise direction. ln the position of FlG. 4 where the belt 63 is slack, the pulley 62 rotates freely relative to said pulley belt, there being no tension between pulley and belt. When it is desired to actuate the sledge 13, the handle 71 is lowered by the operator thereby raising the pulley '76 to tighten the belt 63 as shown in FIG. l. This causes the motor pulley 62 to grip the belt 63, said belt simultaneously gripping the pulley 44 and rotating it. Power from the motor M is thereby suddenly and forcefully transmitted through the pulley 62, the belt 63, and the pulley 44 to pivot the sledge 13 downwardly against the tension of the spring 46 to strike the rail anchor A. The impact surface of the striking portion 51 of the sledge 13 is angled as indicated at Sib whereby the Sledge contacts the rail anchor at the optimum angle for driving the same onto the rail R.

To prevent the possibility of over-driving the anchor, the sledge handle 50 is provided with a stop 53 spaced upwardly from the striking portion 51, said stop contacting the head R of the rail R. Said stop is detailed in FIG. 5 and comprises a C-clamp 54 adjustably secured to the handle 50 by means of a tightening bolt 55. Said clamp is provided with a longitudinally tapped extension 56 having a threaded shaft 57 fitted therein. The outwardly projecting end of said threaded shaft is provided with a metal backup plate 58 having a resilient bumper 59 mounted thereupon. The shaft 57 is provided with a lock nut 57a, and when said shaft is turned to the desired extended position, said lock nut is tightened to hold the adjustment. The stop 53 is adjustable both along the sledge handle St) by means of the clamp 54 and lengthwise by means of the threaded shaft S7. The stop 53 is, therefore, adjustable to strike the heads of various size rails to prevent overdrive as best illustrated in FIG. 1. Proper adjustment is achieved in most instances, when the bumper 59 and the impact surface Sib meet the rail at substantially the same moment although adjustment may vary between different types of anchors and different size rails.

In rare instances, the sledge 13 may rebound in an arcuate path far enough to strike the cross-member 27. A rebound stop 68 is, therefore, preferably provided on said cross-member comprising a stop plate 68', herein shown as a short channel member angularly disposed and welded below the cross-member 27 and having mounted thereon a resilient bumper pad 69'.

As has been noted, the rail anchor A is prepositioned upon the base flange of the rail R prior to the final driving operation. Each anchor ise ordinarily positioned adjacent a rail tie, and the sledge 13 must be aligned with said anchor. Such alignment is attained in the present invention by means of a positioner, generally indicated at 80.

Said positioner is best seen in FIGS. 3, 4, 6, 7, and 9, and comprises an inverted channel member 82 slidably and pivotally mounted upon the positioner pivot 38 by means of a pair of C-clamps 88 and bolts 89 at either end of said channel and a pair of extendable arms 83 mounted by one end of said arms upon said channel member and projecting laterally therefrom. As best shown in FIG. 8, the channel member 82 is provided with a pair of substantially heavy metal blocks 81 welded to the hat upper surface thereof adjacent the ends of said channel member. Said blocks are apertured at 81a whereby the bolts 89 of the clamp 88 pass therethrough. The clamps 88 are of such dimension as to allow pivoting of the channel member 81 and associated parts about the positioner pivot 38. Arms 83 comprise fixed channelshaped portions 84 and relatively smaller, slidably intertted portions 85. The slidable portions 85 are downwardly angled at 85a (FIG. 4) and joined by means of a yoke 86. Said arms extend inwardly of the adjacent rail R and are provided with a depending lug 87 welded or otherwise suitably secured at the center of the yoke 86.

The slidable portion 85 of the arms 83 are apertured at 85a and adapted to receive bolts 95 which also pass through one of a plurality of apertures 84a in the fixed portions 84 whereby said arms are adjustably extended or shortened (FIG. 9).

The means for pivoting said positioner device comprise an elongated link 90 pivotally attached to an upstanding lug 91 of one of the arms 83 at its lowermost end and threaded through an apertured lifting bracket 92 of the handle 71 at its uppermost end. A nut 93 is thread fitted upon the upper end of the link 90 to enable said bracket to lift said link and the positioner 80. The lug 91 is secured adjacent the outermost end of one of the fixed portions 84 and is apertured at 91a whereby a lowermost hook 90a loosely interlits said aperture. The link 90 slides freely in the bracket 92 whereby the handle 71 may be lowered beyond the point where the positioner 80 is in its lowered position with the lug 87 contacting the base ange of the adjacent rail R (FIG. l). When the handle 71 is resiliently held in its uppermost position by the spring 78 (FIG. 4), the positioner device is thus maintained above the anchor A to clear any obstacles associated with the rail and to allow free movement of the maintenance machine along the track.

It will be understood, therefore, that the positioner device 80 is unitarily slidable in a direction parallel with the rail R upon the positioner pivot 38. As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, said positioner is slidable between two adjustable stops 96 and 97. The stop 96 comprises an upwardly projecting mount 98 welded to the upper surface of the positioner pivot 38, said mount being tapped to receive `a bolt 100 having a lock nut 100e threaded thereupon. The stop 97 is identical with the stop 96, said stop 97 comprising a mount 99, a bolt 101, and a lock nut 101a.

When the maintenance machine approaches an anchor A from the direction as shown by the arrow in FIG. 6 with the positioner device lowered, the lug 87 abuts said anchor and said positioner shifts along the pivot 38 by means of the Q-clamps 88 to abut the stop 96, and when said machine approaches from the direction as shown by the arrow of FIG. 7, said positioner shifts to Contact the stop 97. rhe broken line x-x as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 indicate the center line of the sledge handle 5l) and striking portion 51 which remains fixed relative to the frame 10. The positioner shifts relative to the line x-x whereby the lug 87 is disposed on either side of the anchor an equal distance depending upon whether said positioner abuts the stop 96 or the stop 97. In either position, the Sledge is then aligned properly with the anchor A and is in position for the driving thereof. It will be noted that the link is mounted loosely enough to angle slightly to accommodate this shift, and when the lug 87 abuts the anchor A, it holds said anchor rmly against the adjacent tie T during the driving operation.

in FIGS. 1l, 12 and 13, I show details of a pair of land-type wheels mounted inside the frame 10 at approximately the longitudinal medial portion of the maintenance machine. Said wheels are rotatably mounted between pairs of wheel supports 111 joined at the ends thereof by yokes 112 and pivoted to the crossbar 23 by means of U-bolts 113 disposed around said crossbar and passing through said yoke. Arcuate plates 114 are secured to `the outermost surfaces of the supports 111 adjacent the base members 20 and are notched as shown at 115.

Spring biased latch bolts 116 are mounted upon the base members 20 adjacent the arcuate plates 114 by means of U-shaped housings 117 having co-axial apertures 118 and 119 through which said latch bolts project. Collars 12() are secured to the latch bolts 116 by cotter pins 121, and springs 122 are interposed between said collars and outwardly positioned walls 117a of the housings 117. The latch bolts 116 are, therefore, biased to project into the planes of the arcuate plates 114, and as shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, into the notches 115. In such position, the wheels 11i) are positioned downwardly below the frame and latched in place with the hanged wheels 11 and the roller 12 being elevated above the rails R.

The land-type wheels 110 are pivoted upwardly above the frame Ill when the maintenance machine is positioned upon the track as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. To pivot the wheels upwardly, the latch bolts 116 are withdrawn from the notches by handles 116a and pivoted upwardly until said latch bolts snap under the adjacent Wheel supports 111.

By means of the land-type wheels 110, the maintenance machine can be hitched behind a vehicle for hauling over conventional roads to the track upon which it is to be used. Said wheels can also `be used to position the machine over the track prior to lowering it into rail engaging position or, as hereinb-efore disclosed, said machine may be lifted onto the rails with a crane by means of the hook 77 which is so shaped that it can be grasped in the same manner as a section of rail.

Another use for the land-type wheels is best illustrated in the diagrammatic showing of FIG. 1?.. Due to the fact that the land-type wheels are centrally located longitudinally, they `are particularly adapted for turning or reversing the machine whereby anchors can be driven on the opposite rail. The wheels 110 are simply lowered and 7 the machine rotated 180. This feature greatly facilitates the handling of the machine.

In operation, the maintenance machine is positioned upon the rails with the land-type Wheels 110 raised, and it is then moved to a prepostioned rail anchor A. When nearing the anchor, the operator lowers the handle 71 until the `positioner contacts the base llange of the rail R at which time the machine is moved to the point where the depending lug 87 abuts said anchor. In this position, the pulley 76 is still below the point where it will tighten the belt 63. Said positioner then shifts along the pivot 38 to contact one of the stops 96-97 thereby aligning the sledge 13 with the anchor A. The handle 71 is then lowered still further until the pulley 76 pivots upwardly to tighten the belt 63 thereby engaging the sledge actuating pulley 44 which swings the sledge 13 downwardly to drive the rail anchor into engagement with the rail. By releasing the handle 71 the pulley 76 is lowered from the belt 63, the positioner 80 is automatically raised to clear the anchor by the action of the spring 78, and the machine may be moved to the next anchor.

From the above description, it will be understood that the present machine is adapted to approach an anchor from either direction and that the positioner, when lowered, will align the sledge with said anchor automatically. Further, it will be noted that the operation of the machine is accomplished by means of a single control (the handle 7l) and that both the positioning and driving mechanisms reset themselves after each blow. Finally, `the light, simple, and sturdy construction of the present machine and the positioning of the land-type wheels 110 greatly facilitate the handling of said machine thereby making it readily adaptable for use under varying conditions to drive rail anchors on either rail of a railroad track.

A supplemental tool for use with the present machine is illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15. This tool, generally indicated at 130, is secured to the adjustment block 43 of the rail anchor driving machine in identically the same manner as the sledge 13 by means `of a handle 131. The tool 130 is a ballast digger and is adapted to clear the rail R of ballast adjacent the lower surface of the rail base to enable the insertion of an anchor under and to said rail base.

The clearing of ballast is particularly a problem when repairing old track in which the ballast rock has become intermixed with earth, over-grown with plant life, and densely packed from settling. Rain and freezing weather also add to the diiculties of removing ballast which, even when new, presents a problem in time and labor.

The ballast digger 130 is provided with a heavy, rectangular weight 132 of metal or the like preferably welded or otherwise suitably secured to the lowermost end of the handle 131. The bottom of the weight 132 is provided with a relatively thinner, forwardly projecting foot portion 133 rigidly secured in any suitable manner to said weight. The ballast digger 130 is positioned in the adjustment block 43 whereby it swings downwardly and in the direction of the rail with the foot portion 133 passing just under the rail base and with the weight 132 positioned generally in the plane of said rail base. The forwardly directed surface 132:1 of the weight 130 is provided with a rubber bumper element 134 secured thereto and adapted to cushion the impact if said weight strikes the rail base flange.

When using the ballast digger 130, the maintenance machine is operated in the same manner as when using the sledge 13 with the exception that the positioner is ineffective. By lowering and raising the handle 71, repeated blows are delivered to the ballast in the desired area until an adequate space has been made for a rail anchor.

As shown in FIG. 13, the foot portion 133 is rectangular and relatively narrow as this has been found to be an excellent shape for general use. I anticipate, however, that the foot could be wider or even narrower,

pointed or spade shaped, or any other configuration suitable for a specific purpose. I also anticipate that both the ballast digger and the sledge could be mounted upon a single frame to be alternately used as the operator Wishes.

l am also aware that many other departures from the details of my invention as herein described and illustrated may be made, such as changes in size and dimension, without, however, departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A railroad maintenance machine adapted to travel upon rails and to apply striking blows to a work surface adjacent a rail comprising a frame mounted on rail engaging wheels, a tool having a weighted driving portion and a handle, said tool pivotally mounted upon said frame adjacent said rail and adapted to swing toward said rail, means for retracting said tool, a pivot shaft for said tool, the axis of said pivot shaft being parallel with said rail, a driven pulley fixed upon said shaft, said tool and said driven pulley adajted to pivot unitarily with said pivot shaft, a constantly running motor mounted upon said frame and provided with a driving pulley, a pulley belt loosely connecting said driving and driven pulleys whereby said driving pulley turns freely relative to said belt, and belt tightening means adapted to tighten said belt whereby rotational motion is transferred from said driving pulley to said driven pulley to pivot said tool into driving engagement with said rail anchor.

2. A railroad maintenance machine adapted for travel upon a pair of rails and comprising a frame having rail engaging wheel means mounted therewith, a pair of retractable, land-type wheels mounted generally intermediate the ends of said frame between said rails and having mounts pivotal downwardly to a position whereby said land type wheels support said machine and whereby said machine may be pivoted in a horizontal plane to place either end thereof adjacent either of said rails, a motor mounted upon said fratrie having a driving pulley in constant motion, a tool having a weighted driving portion and a driven pulley unitarily pivotally mounted to said frame on an axis parallel with said rails, said tool adapted to swing toward one of said rails to deliver a blow to a work surface adjacent said rail, means for retracting said tool, and means for rapidly selectively engaging and disengaging said driven pulley with said driving pulley to pivot said tool.

3. A railroad maintenance machine for driving a prepositioned rail anchor upon a rail comprising a frame adapted for rolling engagement with a pair of rails, a sledge pivoted upon said frame on an axis parallel with said rail and adapted to swing into driving contact with said rail anchor, means for retracting said sledge, a posig tioner pivotally mounted to said frame on an axis parallel to said rail and pivotal to a position of lateral contact with said rail anchor for aligning said sledge with said rail anchor, a constantly rotating power source, transmission means between said power source and said sledge, control means pivoted to said frame and associated with said transmission for engaging and disengaging said transmission whereby said sledge is pivoted to strike said rail anchor and released to retract therefrom, means connecting said control means with said positioner, means for retracting said control means and associated positioner, said control means movable to a rst position whereby said positioner is pivoted to contact said rail anchor, and said control means movable to a second position whereby said transmission means is engaged to cause said sledge to pivot to strike said rail anchor.

4. A railroad maintenance machine for driving rail anchors upon a rail and adapted to travel upon a pair of rails and comprising a frame, a sledge pivotally mounted upon said frame adjacent one of said rails and adapted to swing toward said rail in a plane at right angles to said rail to drive a rail anchor thereupon, a driven pulley adapted to pivot unitariiy with said sledge, a constantly running motor mounted to said frame and having a driving pulley, a pulley belt loosely connecting said driving pulley and said driven pulley whereby said driving pulley turns freely relative to said belt, an arm pivoted upon said frame intermediate its ends and having one end thereof positioned adjacent said belt intermediate said driving and driven pulleys, an idler pulley mounted upon said end of said arm to be pivoted toward and away from said belt, a positioner pivotally mounted to said frame adjacent said rail with the pivot thereof parallel with said rail, said positioner being pivotal to a position of lateral contact with said rail anchor whereby said sledge is aligned with said anchor, said positioner retractable to a position whereby it clears said rail anchor, means connecting said arm with said positioner whereby when said idler pulley is fully retracted from said pulley belt said positioner is in a retracted position, means for biasing said arm in a direction to retract said idler pulley, said arm pivotal in the opposite direction in a single, continuous path of movement whereby said positioner is lowered and said idler wheel contacts and tightens said `belt respectively in response to successive portions of said movement of said arm.

5. A railroad maintenance machine for driving prepositioned rail anchors upon a rail adjacent a railroad tie and adapted to travel upon a pair of rails, said machine comprising a frame, a sledge pivotally mounted upon said frame adjacent one of' said rails and adapted to swing toward said rail in a path at right angles to said rail to drive a rail anchor thereupon, a driven pulley adapted to pivot unitariiy with said sledge, a constantly running motor mounted upon said frame and having a driving pulley, a pulley belt loosely connecting said driving pulley and said driven pulley whereby said driving pulley turns freely relative to said belt, an arm pivoted intermediate its ends upon said frame having one end thereof positioned adjacent said belt intermediate said driving and driven pulleys, an idler pulley mounted upon said end of said arm to be pivoted toward and away from said belt, a positioner pivotally mounted to said frame adjacent said rail and on an axis parallel to said rail, said positioner having a depending lug and being pivotal to a position whereby said lug laterally abuts said rail anchor when said machine is moving toward said rail anchor to press said rail anchor firmly against said adjacent tie, said sledge being aligned with said rail anchor when said lug abuts said rail anchor, said positioner being longitudinally shiftable along its axis to abut said rail anchor from either direction to align said sledge with said anchor, said positioner retractable to a position whereby it clears said rail anchor, means connecting said arm with said positioner whereby when said idler pulley is fully retracted from said pulley belt said positioner is in a retracted position, means for biasing said arm in a direction to retract said idler pulley, said arm pivotal in the opposite direction in a single, continuous path of movement whereby said positioner is lowered and said idler wheel contacts and tightens said belt respectively in response to successive portions of movement of said arm.

6. A railroad maintenance machine for driving a prepositioned rail anchor upon a rail adjacent a railroad tie comprising a frame adapted for rolling engagement with said rail, sledge means pivoted upon said frame and adapted to swing in a path at right angles to said raii into driving contact with said rail anchor, means connecting said sledge means to said frame for resiliently retracting said sledge, positioner means adapted to align said sledge with said rail anchor, said positioner means longitudinally slidably mounted upon a pivot disposed parallel with said rail and mounted to said frame adjacent said rail, said positioner means pivotal downwardly to a position adjacent said anchor, said positioner means having means associated therewith adapted to press said rail anchor firmly against said adjacent tie whereby said sledge means is aligned with said anchor, said positioner means shiftable along said pivot an equal distance on either side of the plane of the path of said sledge means whereby said sledge means is aligned with said anchor when said machine approaches from either direction along said rail, a constantly rotating power source mounted upon said frame, and means for rapidly engaging said sledge to said power source to pivot said sledge into driving contact with said anchor.

7. An apparatus for applying a rail anchor which is prepositioned on the rail base to the base of a railroad track rail, comprising a supporting framework adapted for movement along a railroad track, an anchor holding mechanism mounted on the framework, including means for hoiding the prepositioned rail anchor in predriving position, an anchor applying mechanism mounted on the framework including a driving means for forcing the anchor onto the rail base, said driving means and said holding means being structurally interconnected so that the driving means is positioned in its optimum driving position when said holding means is holding said rail anchor in predriving position.

8. An apparatus for applying a rail anchor prepositioned on a railway track rail to the base of said rail comprising a supporting framework adapted for movement along said railway track, an anchor holding mechanism mounted on the framework including means for holding the prepositioned rail anchor in predriving position, an anchor applying mechanism mounted on the framework including a driving means for forcing the rail anchor while being held in predriving position by said holding means onto the base of the rail, said driving means including an adjustable means for selectively adjusting the maximum inward movement of the driving means for protecting the rail anchor from damage as a result of over driving, and said adjustable means also allowing through selective adjustment of the inward movement of the driving means adjustment of the apparatus for use with different size rails and rail anchors.

9. A railroad maintenance machine for delivering blows to a work surface adjacent a rail comprising a frame, a tool having a weighted driving portion and a handle, said tool pivoted upon said frame and adapted for swinging movement in a plane at right angles to said rail, spring means connected to said frame and said tool for resiliently maintaining said tool in a retracted position, a constantly rotating power source, intermediate drive mechanisms selectively interconnecting said tool and said power source, manual means operatively connected to said drive means for alternately engaging and disengaging said drive means to cause said tool pivotally interconnected with said intermediate drive mechanisms to deliver successive blows to said work surface and retract said tool therefrom.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 749,996 Kraus Jan. 19, 1904 2,119,928 Salzberger .lune 7, 1938 2,483,599 Spitzer Oct. 4, 1949 2,575,535 Talboys et al Nov. 20, 1951 2,632,335 Ciaccio Mar. 24, 1953 2,669,041 Fox et al Feb. 16, 1954 2,730,962 Wright ian. 17, 1956 2,742,131 Petit Apr. 17, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 150,782 Sweden July 12, 1955 OTHER REFERENCES Railway Track and Structure Cyclopedia, 1955, 8th edition, Rail Anchors, chapter 21, pages 297 to 308. 

1. A RAILROAD MAINTENANCE MACHINE ADAPTED TO TRAVEL UPON RAILS AND TO APPLY STRIKING BLOWS TO A WORK SURFACE ADJACENT A RAIL COMPRISING A FRAME MOUNTED ON RAIL ENGAGING WHEELS, A TOOL HAVING A WEIGHTED DRIVING PORTION AND A HANDLE, SAID TOOL PIVOTALLY MOUNTED UPON SAID FRAME ADJACENT SAID RAIL AND ADAPTED TO SWING TOWARD SAID RAIL, MEANS FOR RETRACTING SAID TOOL, A PIVOT SHAFT FOR SAID TOOL, THE AXIS OF SAID PIVOT SHAFT BEING PARALLEL WITH SAID RAIL, A DRIVEN PULLEY FIXED UPON SAID SHAFT, SAID TOOL AND SAID DRIVEN PULLEY ADAJTED TO PIVOT UNITARILY WITH SAID PIVOT SHAFT, A CONSTANTLY RUNNING MOTOR MOUNTED UPON SAID FRAME AND PROVIDED WITH A DRIVING PULLEY, A PULLEY BELT LOOSELY CONNECTING SAID DRIVING AND DRIVEN PULLEYS WHEREBY SAID DRIVING PULLEY TURNS FREELY RELATIVE TO SAID BELT, AND BELT TIGHTENING MEANS ADAPTED TO TIGHTEN SAID BELT WHEREBY ROTATIONAL MOTION IS TRANSFERRED FROM SAID DRIVING PULLEY TO SAID DRIVEN PULLEY TO PIVOT SAID TOOL INTO DRIVING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID RAIL ANCHOR. 